For Margaret and Alex McRea, true love is measured by memories over a span of time. Love for a spouse is something to be treasured and valued on a daily basis, they said. For more than five decades, they have shared their lives — something to admire in an age where many marriages dissolve during difficult times.
Undoubtedly, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of today’s Friday Harbor residents will talk about this day in 2109. Ferry whistles blasted. Sirens sounded. A cannon was fired. And the town partied like it was 1909 again.
Mayor David Jones joined residents and staff at Islands Convalescent Center Feb. 6 to celebrate the Town of Friday Harbor’s 100th Birthday by cutting the town’s first birthday cake and reading the Town of Friday Harbor’s Proclamation. Two of the eldest residents at ICC, sisters Mickey Cahail, 99, and May Boyce, 102, were visited by Jones in their room which they share, and received cake, ice cream and a greeting.
Students at local public and private schools were invited by The Journal to write about their hometown, in commemoration of Friday Harbor’s centennial. We received a lot of great entries. A panel of judges picked these as the top entries.
Expect an evening of cheers, laughter, smiles and tears at the 16th annual Playwrights Festival Friday through Sunday and Feb. 12-15 at the San Juan Community Theatre. A variety of cast members, directors and playwrights will again produce a colorful mix of comedy and drama by local playwrights.
Friday Harbor is pulling out all the stops for its 100th birthday Feb. 9. The town’s centennial will be celebrated at three venues that day, with free exhibits, a time capsule, birthday cakes, daylong refreshments, live music and dancing, a speech by Mayor David Jones, and the judging of the beard-growing contest, capped by a community dinner at the San Juan Island Yacht Club.
The production of five wonderful examples of Ernest Pugh’s playwright talents at the San Juan Community Theatre was a well-deserved tribute, Jan. 16-17. It takes a keen eye and sharp ear to have such talent. And, of course, an equally talented cast and crew to bring the playwright’s drama to powerful life.
When I first came to the islands, I lived across the road from Ross and B.J. Miner and next door to Jim and Bea Hitch. These two fine couples guided us as to the ways of the island. “There’s nothin’ to do in here in January,” said Ross, “except freeze.” I thought of that last weekend, after all the holidays including Epiphany, when Helen and I spent a quiet January Saturday that ran us ragged.
“Listen to the stories that people tell you,” Roadside Theater’s Ron Short says. “In them, you will find the truths that people want most revealed about their lives.” Short brings his stories from the Appalachians to Friday Harbor on Jan. 31 when he and Kentucky’s Roadside Theater present “Music from Home” on the San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier stage.
Six photographers from the San Juan Islands won a personal portfolio review with Jeanne Falk Adams, CEO of The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park and daughter-in-law of the late environmentalist and photographer.
In the last 100 years, our seaside village has inspired artists, authors, journalists, musicians and poets. SanJuanJournal.com brings the music to you in this “Friday Harbor in Song” series.
Have any vintage clothing? Take out those duds and dust them off: Friday Harbor is pulling out all the stops for its 100th birthday Feb. 9. The town’s centennial will be celebrated at three venues that day, with free exhibits, a time capsule, birthday cakes, daylong refreshments, live music and dancing, a speech by Mayor David Jones, and the judging of the beard-growing contest, capped by a community dinner at the San Juan Island Yacht Club.
The Town of Friday Harbor celebrates its centennial Feb. 9. In the last 100 years, Friday Harbor has inspired artists, authors, journalists, musicians and poets. In this series, SanJuanJournal.com will feature Friday Harbor-related music.
